FFR pressure wire comparative study: piezoresistive versus optical sensor.

Background: This study aimed to assess the reliability of pressure derived fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement and the handling performance of the OptoWire Deux with an optical pressure sensor relative to both the PressureWire X and the Verrata Pressure wire with piezoresistive pressure sensors.

Methods: This single centre study included 80 patients between October 2016 and May 2017 undergoing a diagnostic coronary angiography. The reliability of FFR measurement measured with the OptoWire Deux relative to the PressureWire X and Verrata Pressure wire was assessed by the presence of drift.

Point-of-care heart-type fatty acid binding protein versus high-sensitivity troponin T testing in emergency patients at high risk for acute coronary syndrome.

Background: High-sensitivity cardiac troponin testing is used to detect myocardial damage in patients with acute chest pain. Heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) may be an alternative, available as point-of-care test.

Methods: Patients (n=203) referred by general practitioners for suspected acute coronary syndrome or presenting with typical chest pain and one major cardiovascular risk factor at the emergency department were prospectively included in a single-centre cohort study.

High prevalence of right ventricular involvement in endurance athletes with ventricular arrhythmias. Role of an electrophysiologic study in risk stratification.

Background: Electrocardiographic abnormalities and premature ventricular contractions are common in athletes and are generally benign. However, the specific outcome of high-level endurance athletes with frequent and complex ventricular arrhythmias is unclear. Also, information on the predictive accuracy of different investigations in this subgroup is unknown.